Eligibility for FIP Academic Institutional Membership

The academic institutional membership (AIM) at FIP is open to institutions of higher education worldwide that contribute to the advancement of pharmacy through education, research and training. Academic institutional members are nationally recognised and accredited academic institutions, such as universities and colleges, that offer education programmes leading to entry-to-practice qualifications in pharmacy. Members are represented through their deans or senior members of their academic leadership team, who collaborate and share ideas around areas of interest related to academic leadership. FIP recognises the prominent role of schools of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences in providing the foundation for our profession and developed the FIP AIM in 2009.

To be eligible for AIM membership, institutions must meet the following requirements: 

1. Provide undergraduate/professional pharmacy programmes leading to entry-to-practice qualifications as pharmacists (essential for the global health workforce pipeline). While postgraduate courses and pharmaceutical sciences degrees, as well as training for other cadres, may be offered, AIM status requires undergraduate/professional pharmacy courses;
2. Entirely online programmes are not eligible; in-person components are required; and
3. Programmes must be accredited by a reputable pharmacy-specific body, or—where unavailable—by a recognised general accreditation body. 

Additional measures approved by the FIP Council include: 

1. Verification of accreditation is a requirement for AIM membership renewal. 
2. Provisional AIM status may be granted to current AIM members undergoing accreditation. This provisional status may be held for a maximum of three years, after which membership will be cancelled if full accreditation has not been achieved;
3. Provisional AIM status will not be granted to new AIM applicants;
4. All AIM members are automatically members of their regional FIP–UNESCO UNITWIN Centre for Excellence; and
5. All AIM members are automatically included in the World List of Pharmacy Schools.

Membership benefits

FIP AIM membership is a unique platform that connects schools of pharmacy and academic pharmacy leaders worldwide, fostering networking, knowledge sharing, and leadership in pharmacy education. As members, academic institutions gain access to a wealth of resources and opportunities designed to enhance their global impact.

These include: 

1. Networking with pharmacy leaders worldwide through online discussion forums and international conferences; 
2. A complimentary membership in the FIP Academic Pharmacy Section; 
3. A free registration to attend FIP’s Global Academic Leaders Forum (GALF), an annual event during the FIP World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences that brings together academic leaders to discuss pivotal topics in pharmacy education; 
4. Discounted registration rate for the World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences; 
5. Complimentary membership in the FIP-UNESCO UNITWIN Centre for Excellence in the respective region. These centres provide a regional platform for academic institutions to network and collaborate on transformative education initiatives that align with FIP’s strategic goals and objectives; 
6. An international platform for discussion of shared challenges and successes; 
7. Involvement in shaping global pharmacy education and practice through participation in policy development, workshops, and campaigns;
8. Standing out in the global arena through publication and presentation opportunities; 
9. Exclusive offers on FIP Seal awarded programmes. (more information about the FIP Provision and Partnership Programme here); 
10. Exposure to career opportunities in academia; 
11. Worldwide impact via collaboration on global FIP programmes; 
12. Higher profiling power within FIP's World List of Pharmacy Schools with in-depth information about your institution — a comprehensive resource utilised by students, educators, and policymakers globally; 
13. Communication in special interest concentrations to create win-win collaborations; and 
14. Access to relevant information on academic pharmacy trending topics through exclusive publications including bi-annually FIP AIM newsletters and the Pharmacy Education Journal. 

How to join

Membership fees